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Writing a CV

This advice is currently available via a podcasted 'Quick Connection' available via our Subscribe to our podcast page.

If you are reviewing your CV help is at hand. It can be tempting to use a CV builder, but you are much better off carefully preparing and designing your own CV rather than taking a one size fits all solution.

After all, writing a good CV is crucial in your search for a new job. It is the first thing on which a potential employer will judge you. Most employers will scan read initially, giving you less than two minutes to create the right first impression.

It is therefore imperative that you package, present and sell yourself well in your CV. It must immediately highlight how you could positively benefit the employer. It must inspire confidence in your abilities. And most of all, it must make the employer want to know much more about you.

Win that interview by following our six steps to CV success:

Step One: Assemble it

Start by assembling the facts and listing all the information you need to include in your CV:

• Personal details that will tell us a little about who you are,
• Up to date contact details on which to reach you,
• A chronological list of your qualifications,
• The responsibilities of each of your previous roles,
• Notable achievements you enjoyed at each of your employers.

This information will form the basis of your CV.

Step Two: Write it

Now you must write up this information in a way that sells you and your background to potential employers. This is often the most difficult aspect of CV writing, so don’t expect to write the perfect one at your first attempt.

Whether you decide to write an achievements-based or skills-focused CV, follow our rules when re-working its content into an effective sales tool:

• Tailor your CV to your ideal next step, whether a particular job/specialism or organisation/sector.
• Ensure the first page excites the reader about who you are and what you have to offer.
• Write in a professional and commercially aware style. Demonstrate how you could benefit a prospective employer.
• Focus on your strengths and underplay your weaknesses.
• Question the relevance of everything you include, e.g. listing your children's names won’t add any value and are therefore best left out.
• Make sure that everything you claim is truthful and that it can be verified - interviews are likely to be based on your CV.
• Don't leave any unexplained gaps - if you have travelled or been out of work, say so.
• Work in reverse chronological order, i.e. list your most recent role first.
• Ensure sentences are no longer than about 15 words.
• Avoid repetitions.
• Create an impact with appropriate ‘action words’, e.g. successfully achieved..., energetically lead...

Step Three: Stylise it

Well done for completing one of the most important elements of your CV: its content. Next it’ll be worth formatting the document to create a favourable visual impression. Here are our cardinal rules of CV style:

• Word process your CV, e.g. using Microsoft Word.
• Keep to two pages maximum – certainly no more than three.
• Employ an A4 portrait style.
• Stick to a white background, and don’t include any decorative borders.
• Choose black font and a simple typeface - use this style consistently.
• Highlight headings using italics or bold; avoid capitals and underlining.
• Keep paragraphs under five lines long. Use bullet points sparingly instead.
• Stay reader friendly by using lots of ‘white space’.
• Use good quality white/cream paper when printing your CV. Avoid special effects such as binding.

Step Four: Proofread it

You’ve successfully created a strong sales tool. What potential employer could possibly resist? One that spots a mistake on your CV, that’s who! Don’t allow spelling mistakes or grammatical errors to let you down: spot them before an employer does by carefully proofreading your CV. Print it out, as you will proofread better from a printed page than from a computer screen.

Now might also be a good time to ask a friend or contact who works in your specialism to give you their honest opinion of your efforts.

Step Five: Send it

After all that effort, don't let your CV's impact be dampened by a less than adequate covering email/letter. Use this brilliant opportunity to actively demonstrate your professionalism, and to clearly emphasise why you are a suitable and interested candidate worth interviewing. Here's a brief guide on what to include in each paragraph of your letter:

Step Six: Future-proof it

Remember to keep adding to your CV even when you are no longer looking. You will be thankful when the time comes to already have all the details of your last employer, responsibilities and achievements to hand! You otherwise run the risk of forgetting important dates, details, projects or successes.

Once you have written or updated your CV you can send it our consultants.

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